"On one hot (HOT!) Wednesday in July, we met in the downstairs hall in a small circle of chairs, two fans blowing on us. As we began with silent prayer, the BrooklynConservatory was practicing for their upcoming performance of Carmen in the sanctuary and the birds were singing in the garden.

"Our silence was surrounded by song. As we looked down at the circle of our sandaled feet, someone thought of the book we were reading together — Nomads and Pilgrims — and suggested, laughing, that these were pilgrim feet.

"Someone else hauled out a camera and here you have it: a photo of our feet, so vulnerable and so strong, so foundational and so fragile, a symbolic picture of our congregational life together.

"So that is what we are calling small groups ... Pilgrim Feet. How about putting your feet into a small circle this Fall?"

The small groups are "intentional face-to-face gatherings", consisting of 5 - 10 people, which meet together for a specific purpose for a limited time period. The purpose of the group defines it. For example, a group might be mainly for learning, or working, or for support. But we often think of these groups simply as being groups or listening groups where we can experience belonging to each other and to God.

There will be two small groups, running for about eight weeks, at different times and places. Once you sign up, a leader will contact you.

1. What is Prayer? This group will explore prayer using A Praying Congregation by Jane E. Vennard. The group will learn about Christian prayer and also pray together, engaging many prayer forms and spiritual practices. This group will meet Sunday mornings between 10:00-10:30AM in the church office. Group leaders are Melody Meeter and Liz Walker.
2. Knittting with the Mystics This group will learn how to make woolen hats to be given to the CHIPS shelter on Fourth Avenue. While the knitters knit, someone from the group will read passages from Christian mystics, ancient and modern. This group will meet on Sunday afternoons around 1PM in the ladies'lounge. Group leader is Stacy Leigh.

You can sign up at coffee hour with Melody Meeter, Liz Walker, Jean Morris, or Cathy Moore. Or write to info@oldfirstbrooklyn.org